Shaker

ABSTRACT

A shaker for mixing or blending the components of fluent mixtures. The shaker includes a base defining a center about which a plurality of shafts are circumferentially generally evenly spaced and each of the shafts is journaled from the base and includes an eccentric portion journaled in a corresponding holder for materials to be blended or mixed with each holder anchored to the base by means of an expansion spring anchored to the corresponding holder at a point spaced laterally of the associated eccentric portion. Further, the eccentric portions of the various shafts are disposed relative to each other and the base whereby the imbalance forces acting thereon by the holder all act to cancel out each other during rotation of the shafts at the same angular speed.

[4 1 Sept. 26, 1972 SHAKER Inventor: Rudolph P. Vesterp 23 Carlstia Drive, Jeffersonville, lnd. 47130 Filed: Jan. 15, 1971 Appl. No.: 106,719

3,185,462 5/1965 Shore ..2 66/1R 863,009 8/1907 Supper ..259/54 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 770,445 6/1934 France ....266/1 R Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson 57] ABSTRACT A shaker for mixing or blending the components of fluent mixtures. The shaker includes a base defining a center about which a plurality of shafts are circumferentially generally evenly spaced and each of the shafts is journaled from the base and includes an eccentric portion journaled in a corresponding holder for materials to be blended or mixed with each holder anchored to the base by means of an expansion spring anchored to the corresponding holder at a point spacedtlaterally of the associated eccentric portion. Further, the eccentric portions of thevarious shafts are disposed relative to each other and the base whereby the imbalance forces acting thereon by the holder all act to cancel out each other during rotation of the shafts at the same angular speed.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHAKER The shaker of the instant invention has been specifically designed for use as an amalgamator, but can be utilized in many different environments to mix or blend materials contained in a large or small number of containers. The shaker is designed whereby its size may be readily increased so as to be adapted to shake containers of substantially any size and shape. Further, the shaker has been designed in a manner in which it may be fabricated to accommodate any number of containers. In addition to the preceding features, the shaker is constructed to operate with a minimum of vibration andto use only a single power source in shaking all of the containers supported therefrom. Still, further, the shaker may be utilized in any position vertical, horizontal and inverted, etc. Also, the shaker may 'be readily operated at varying speeds and may be constructed so as to be double-ended in order to double the number of holders or containers supported therefrom without appreciable increase in the size of the shaker. v

In the past numerous devices have been designed for use in mixing amalgam and other materials, but most of these previous devices have not had the ability of simultaneously shaking either one or two containers or a large number of containers at the same time. In addition, these previous devices have not-been constructed in a manner whereby vibration thereof is maintained at a minimum and construction is simplified whereby they may be operated from a single power source and at variable desired speeds. I

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a shaker capable of shaking substantially any feasible number of containers in which materials to be mixed and blended may be disposed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shaker which may be readily adapted to support and shake containers of substantially any shape and size.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shaker which will be operative to carry out its intended function with a minimum of vibration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shaker including a plurality. of holders for containers to be shaken and operable from a single power source.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a shaker constructed in a manner whereby it may be operated in substantially any position.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a shaker in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be ofsimple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation :as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shaker;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the shaker with the various holders thereof supporting containers for receiving materials to be blended or mixed by the shaker;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more'specifically to the drawings the numeral generally designates the shaker of the instant invention. The shaker 10 comprises a support structure referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 including a first end plate 14 and a seconds end plate 16. An electric motor 18 is supported from the end plate 14 in the center thereof in any convenient from manner such as by fasteners 20'and the electric motor 18 includes a rotatable output shaft 22 upon which a pulley wheel 24 is mounted.

A plurality of shafts 26 are equally circumferentially spaced about the motor 18 and have their upper and lower ends journaled in journal blocks 28 and 30 secured to the end plates 16 and 14 respectively, in any convenient manner such as by fasteners 32. In addition, a further shaft 34 is secured between the end plates 14 and 16 in a stationary manner and has a belt tensioning roller journaled thereon. The shaft 38 has an eccentric collar 42 secured thereon in adjusted rotated position by any suitable means such as a setscrew (not shown) and the roller 40 is journaled on the collar 42.

The shafts 26 have aligned pulleys 44 mounted thereon for rotation therewith and an endless belt 46 is trained about the pulleys 44. In addition, one of the shafts has a second pulley wheel 48 mounted thereon aligned with the pulley wheel 24 and an endless belt 50 is trained about the pulley wheels 24 and 48 whereby operation of the motor 18 will cause rotation of all of the shafts 26.

If it is desired, any other additional means may be utilized to interconnect the plates 14 and 16 so as to maintain them in stationary position relative to each other.

Each of the shafts 26 includes an upper terminal end 52 received through a bore 54 provided therefor in the end plate 16 and each terminal end 52 has one end of a crankarm 56 secured thereto by meansof a setscrew 58. The. other end of each crankarm 56 has a headed axle pin 60 secured thereto by means of a setscrew 62 and a holder body 64 is oscillatably mounted on each axle pin 62 by means of a bearing assembly 66 carried by each'holder body 64 through which the corresponding axle pin 60 is journaled.

- A thrust washer 68 is the on each axle pin 60 between corresponding bearings 66 and the associated crankarm 56 and the ends of the holder body 64 adjacent the central area of the end plate or portion 16 carries a pair of anchor studs 70 to which corresponding ends of a pair of expansion springs 72 are secured. A center plate 74 is anchored to the center of the end portion 16 by means of a fastener 76 and the outer peripheral portions of the plate 74 include upwardly projecting pairs of anchor pins 78 to which the corresponding pair of spring ends are secured. Accordingly, the expansion springs 72 yieldingly bias the holder bodies 64 to positions thereof with the holder bodies 64 extending generally radially of the center area of the end portion 16. Each of the holder bodies 64 includes a spring clip 80 by which a closable container 82 may be removably anchored to each holder body 64 and each holder body 64 includes a pair of opposite end upstanding abutment plates 84 and 86 between which the opposite ends of the associated container 82 are snugly received.

It will be noted that the endless drive member or belt 46 is toothed and it is to be understood that the pulley wheels 44 are also toothed in order that all of the shafts 26 may rotate in unison at exactly the same speed. Of course, each of the crankarms 56 is mounted on the associated shaft 26 in the same position relative to the center axis of the shaker about which the shafts 26 are equally disposed and accordingly, operation of the motor 18, even at high speeds, may be accomplished without vibration of the shaker 10. The imbalance forces applied to the shaker 10 during rotation of the shafts 26 at high speed due to the eccentric positioning of the axle pins 60 cancel out each other and thus enable the shaker 10 to operate without vibration.

The various containers 82 may be removed from their holders 64 and have various materials placed therein to be mixed or blended. Then, the containers 82 may be placed in operation in order to shake all of the containers, and the materials disposed therein, at one time.

Also, a plurality of shakers 10 may be disposed in a circle with the pulley wheels 48 thereof disposed adjacent the center of the circle and at different elevations with the pulley wheels 48 driven from a single central motor driven shaft having pulley wheels thereon aligned with the pulley wheels 48. In such a construction, the single drive shaft may drive the various shafts 26 of a plurality of shakers 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for removably receiving materials to be shaken, elastic tension member means having one set of ends anchored to said support structure and the other set of ends anchored to said holder laterally outwardly of said eccentrics, and motor means drivingly connected to said shaft, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said motor means being drivingly connected to said shafts through the medium of an endless drive member trained about the remote peripheral portions of said shafts.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewithabout which said drive member is trained.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said motor includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shafts including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last mentioned wheels.

5. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for removably receiving materials to be shaken, elastic tension member means having one set of ends anchored to said support structure and the other set of ends anchored to said holder laterally outwardly of said eccentrics, and motor means drivingly connected to said shaft, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said holders including portions thereof spaced generally radially inwardly toward said central area from said eccentrics to which said other set of ends of said elastic tension members are anchored, the'one set of tension members being anchored to said central area of said support structure.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith about which said drive member is trained.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said motor includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shafts including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last mentioned wheels.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said holders each include a closed container removably supported therefrom.

10. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for supporting articles to be shaken, guide means connected between said support structure and said holders for guiding said holders for at least generally rectilinear movement relative to said support and also at least slight angular displacement .of said holders about said eccentrics relative to said support, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said motor means being drivingly connected to said shafts through the medium of an endless drive member trained about the remote peripheral portions of said shafts.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith about which said drive member is trained.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area and includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shaft including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last-mentioned wheels. 

1. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for removably receiving materials to be shaken, elastic tension member means having one set of ends anchored to said support structure and the other set of ends anchored to said holder laterally outwardly of said eccentrics, and motor means drivingly connected to said shaft, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said motor means being drivingly connected to said shafts through the medium of an endless drive member trained about the remote peripheral portions of said shafts.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith about which said drive member is trained.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said motor includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shafts including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last mentioned wheels.
 5. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for removably receiving materials to be shaken, elastic tension member means having one set of ends anchored to said support structure and the other set of ends anchored to said holder laterally outwardly of said eccentrics, and motor means drivingly connected to said shaft, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said holders including portions thereof spaced generally radially inwArdly toward said central area from said eccentrics to which said other set of ends of said elastic tension members are anchored, the one set of tension members being anchored to said central area of said support structure.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith about which said drive member is trained.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said motor includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shafts including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last mentioned wheels.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said holders each include a closed container removably supported therefrom.
 10. A shaker comprising a support structure, a plurality of generally parallel shafts journaled from said support structure, each of said shafts including an eccentric, a plurality of holders relative to which said eccentrics are journaled, said holders including portions for supporting articles to be shaken, guide means connected between said support structure and said holders for guiding said holders for at least generally rectilinear movement relative to said support and also at least slight angular displacement of said holders about said eccentrics relative to said support, said shafts being arranged in a generally circular pattern about a central area of said support structure, said motor means being drivingly connected to said shafts through the medium of an endless drive member trained about the remote peripheral portions of said shafts.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said motor means is drivingly connected to one of said shafts and said shafts include generally radially aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith about which said drive member is trained.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said motor is disposed in said central area and includes a rotatable output shaft, said one shaft and output shaft including aligned wheels mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and a second endless drive member trained about the last-mentioned wheels. 